Hair dryer

ABSTRACT

A collapsible, inflatable, head supported hair dryer bonnet formed of a pair of thin flexible sheets sealed around the outer edges to provide an air holding, plenum chamber when pressurized with air. The air chamber includes a first bladderlike portion along the rearward portion of the bonnet and having an inwardly bulging inside surface for holding contact against the neck of the wearer. The bonnet includes a plurality of fingerlike bladder portions extended forwardly and downwardly from a common line or apex above the wearer&#39;&#39;s head, each of said second fingerlike bladders having an inwardly bulging inside surface when inflated for providing a degree of longitudinal stiffness to the fingers. The inside surfaces of the fingers contact the wearer&#39;&#39;s head intermediate the ends whereby the outer ends of the fingers are maintained outwardly of the wearer&#39;&#39;s head, leaving clear access to the ears from the front of the bonnet.

United States Patent [191 Waters et a].

[ HAIR DRYER [75] Inventors: Robert S. Waters, Oakbrook, 111.;

Ronald R. Liedtke, Manhattan Beach, Calif.

[73] Assignee: Sunbeam Corporation, Chicago, Ill.

[22] Filed: June 30, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 51,112

[52] US. Cl. .34/99, 34/91, 34/96 [51] Int. Cl. ..A45d 20/00 [58] Field of Search ..34/90, 97, 98, 99, 34/100 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,946,638 2/1934 Rasmussen ..34/99 3,418,726 12/1968 Sparks ....34/99 3,609,879 l0/197l Hanisco ....34/99 3,358,383 12/1967 Snider ..34/99 2,481,407 9/1949 Fluegel ....34/99 X 3,168,382 2/1965 Chambers etal ..34/99 3,335,502 8/1967 Ritter ..34/99 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 940,780 6/1948 France ..34/99 [451 Apr. 10, 1973 Attorney-George R. Clark ABSTRACT A collapsible, inflatable, head supported hair dryer bonnet formed of a pair of thin flexible sheets sealed around the outer edges to provide an air holding, plenum chamber when pressurized with air. The air chamber includes a first bladderlike portion along the rearward portion of the bonnet and having an inwardly bulging inside surface for holding contact against the neck of the wearer. The bonnet includes a plurality of fingerlike bladder portions extended forwardly and downwardly from a common line or apex above the wearers head, each of said second fingerlike bladders having an inwardly bulging inside surface when inflated for providing a degree of longitudinal stiffness to the fingers. The inside surfaces of the fingers contact the wearers head intermediate the ends whereby the outer ends of the fingers are maintained outwardly of the wearers head, leaving clear access to the ears from the front of the bonnet.

1 1 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATEi-HED 1 01975 3'. 726,021

SHEET 1 BF 5 J/nue s PATEHTEB APR 1 01973 SHEET 3 BF 5 HAIR DRYER The present invention relates to hair dryers and, more particularly, to hair dryers of the portable type normally designed for home use, employing a collapsible, inflatable head supported bonnet.

Presently available hair dryers having collapsible, inflatable bonnets, in order to function properly, require a drawstring or elastic band adapted to seal the lower periphery of the bonnet around the head in order to retain the bonnet on the head and to prevent the escape of excessive amounts of drying air. Although it has been conventional in the professional hair drying art to employ rigid, air delivery helmets which are spaced from the head of the user, the development of the flexible inflatable bonnets has followed the direction of drawing in the edge of the bonnet closely against the users head, particularly at the entrance opening to the bonnet. There are several reasons for this design direction. First, it is necessary that the head itself support the hat and in addition support the weight of air delivery hose which is connected thereto. It had heretofore seemed necessary to secure the bonnet to the head with the drawstring to accomplish this support function. The professional hard bonnet hair dryer with its external support for the rigid helmet need not rely on any contact with the head for support purposes. Secondly there is a tendency for the soft bonnet to become folded or mashed against the head so that air delivery may be restricted in some areas. By having the edge of the bonnet around the inlet drawn in against the head, there is some assurance that the air delivered to the head will somehow pass through the hair and ac complish the drying function even though some of the discharge orifices may be blocked or restricted.

Since most women have at one time or another been exposed to the professional type of hair dryer, they understand and appreciate the advantages of having the air delivery hood spaced from and out of contact with the hair and head. Accordingly, there has been some dissatisfaction expressed with the flexible bonnets which sometimes tightly engage the head of the user and give the user a sense of confinement and restriction. In addition, the fact that the ears of the user are enclosed within the snug confines of the soft bonnet, results in the user being almost isolated from the outside world since it becomes very difficult to hear any external communications over the noise of the air and the fan associated with the soft bonnet hair dryer. Moreover, oftentimes the sealing of the lower portion of the bonnet around the hairline obstructs or limits the type of hairdo that can be used. Also, the pressure of the drawstring sometimes causes a temporary but undesirable red line on the skin of the user. In addition, if the ears are left uncovered and a drawstring or other seal is maintained above the ear level, the type of hair style accommodated is extremely limited.

It would be desirable, therefore, if a soft bonnet hair dryer could be provided which would have the advantages of the professional type hard hat hair dryer as far as the absence of a feeling of confinement is concerned and the lack of a drawstring or elastic at the mouth edge of the bonnet is concerned.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved hair dryer having a collapsible, air inflatable, head supported bonnet which eliminates the aforementioned difficulties of the prior art.

It is another object of the present invention to pro vide a new and improved collapsible, air inflatable, head supported hair dryer bonnet.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved hair dryer bonnet which does not require a draw-string, elastic, or other sealing means, around the lower periphery thereof to retain the bonnet in place on the head of the user or to prevent the escape of drying air.

Still another object of the present invention is to pro vide a new and improved hair dryer bonnet which is open around the lower periphery thereof and generally away from the wearers facial surface, thereby permitting the use of the telephone while the hair is being dried.

A still further object of the present invention resides in the provision ofa new and improved hair dryer bonnet of the character described which does not substan- I tially impair the hearing of the individual wearer during operation and permits ready access to the cars.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved hair dryer bonnet of the collapsible type which is inflatable and which is shaped by the inflation thereof to form means for retaining the bonnet in place on the head of the wearer.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved hair dryer bonnet of the character described which may be collapsed to occupy a minimum of space when not in use and which uses inflatable-type bladders or fingers having bulging inner surfaces for maintaining the bonnet on the head of the wearer when being used and to space the lower edge of the bonnet away from the head at least in the vicinity of the ears of the user.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds, and the features of novelty which characterize the present invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

Briefly, a new and improved, collapsible, air inflated, head supported hair dryer bonnet, in accordance with the present invention, comprises a pair of thin, flexible sheets sealed together around the outer edge to provide an inflatable air plenum chamber to receive drying air. The chamber comprises a first bladderlike portion adjacent the lower rearward edge portion of the bonnet having an inwardly bulging inside surface for holding contact against the neck of the wearer at or below the hairline. A plurality of fingerlike bladders extending forwardly and downwardly from a common line or apex transversely across and above the: wearer's head are provided with inwardly bulging surfaces for contact with the wearers head. When inflated, a degree of longitudinal stiffness is imparted to the fingers and contact is established against the wearers head intermediate the ends of the fingers so that the outer ends of the tingers comprising the periphery of the bonnet are maintained outwardly of the wearers head, thus leaving the region around the ears readily accessible. When not inflated, the bonnet may be folded into a small flat package occupying a minimum of space. The bulging inner surfaces of the bladder and fingers are perforated to provide for distribution of drying air over the head of the user.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a new and improved hair dryer bonnet constructed in accordance with the features of the present invention shown as worn on the head of the user but not yet supplied with hair drying air;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 showing the bonnet in an inflated condition with hair drying air supplied thereto;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the dryer bonnet in a noninflated condition;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 3 illustrating the bonnet in an inflated condition;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the bonnet on the head of the wearer in an uninflated condition;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 but with the bonnet shown in section and in an inflated condition;

FIG. 7 is a rear elevational view of the hair dryer bonnet shown in a flat noninflated condition;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 8--8 of FIG. 7 illustrating constructional details of the bonnet;

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the pattern of the inside wall member of the hair dryer bonnet;

FIG. 10 is a view of the inner wall member of the bonnet shown in a partially folded condition before sealing of the peripheral edges;

FIG. 11 is a view with the users head removed from the bonnet looking upwardly in a direction longitudinally of the center axis in an uninflated condition; and

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11 but with the bonnet in an inflated condition.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, there is illustrated a new and improved collapsible, airinflatable, head supported, hair dryer bonnet constructed in accordance with the features of the present invention. The bonnet 20 is especially designed and adapted to rest otherwise unsupported on the head of a wearer in an uninflated condition, and when inflated, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 respectively. The bonnet includes an inside wall membrane 21 (FIGS. 9 and 10) shaped in a butterfly-like pattern constructed of a thin sheet of flexible plastic material, such as polyethylene, or polyvinyl chloride film of the order of one to three mils in thickness. An outside wall membrane 22 of similar shape and like material is joined with the inside wall around the peripheral edges E, preferably by a heat sealing process, thereby forming an inflatable airplenum chamber from which jets of drying air may be directed over the hair of a wearer ofthe bonnet.

Hot or cool air for drying the hair is supplied to the lower rearward portion of the plenum chamber defined in bonnet 20 through a flexible hose 23 (FIGS. 3 and 4) having a releasable connector fitting 24. The connector is adapted to detachably engage an annulus 25 (FIGS. 3, 4, 7, and 9 to 12) of rigid plastic material mounted in a circular opening provided in the outside wall 22 of the bonnet 20 adjacent the lower, rearward end adjacent the center line. The hose fitting 24 is provided with a pair of locking lugs 26 which are movable radially inwardly from the position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings to a release position by a pair of external release buttons 27. The hose 23 can thus be easily connected or disconnected with the inlet annulus 25 secured to the outer wall 22 of the bonnet 20.

In order to distribute the air for drying the hair over the entire head surface of the user in a desired manner, the inside wall 21 of the bonnet 20 is formed with a plurality of spaced apart nozzle openings or apertures 28 therein. The openings are located as shown in FIG. 9 and may be formed by a punching operation after the inner and outer walls 21 and 22 have been cut to shape. After the inner and outer wall patterns are cut, as shown in FIG. 9, and after the perforations 28 have been formed in the inside wall 21 in the pattern shown and also after the plastic inlet annulus 25 has been inserted into and sealed to edges of the inlet opening in the outer wall 22, the inner and outer walls are joined together and heat sealed around the complete outer periphery thereof which results in a bonnet with somewhat scalloped edge around the head receiving opening. After heat sealing of the periphery has been completed, the assembled together inner and outer walls are folded along a common apex or fold line indicated as axis A--A (FIGS. 7, 9 and best shown in FIGS. 10 and 12).

Viewing the inner wall pattern as shown in FIG. 9, the section above the fold axis A-A comprises the upper forward portion of the bonnet which rests on the top forward portion of the head and the section below the fold line AA forms a lower rearward portion of the bonnet, the central portion of which bears against the back of the neck when the bonnet is inflated in position, as best shown in FIG. 4.

In order to properly shape or structure the bonnet for retention on the head without tie strings or elastic around the bottom and thereby provide free or open access around the lower periphery, certain adjacent edge portions of the periphery are heat sealed upon one another after heat sealing of the entire periphery of the inner and outer walls 21 and 22, as previously described. Portions on opposite sides of the lower rearward section of the walls running from apex points 29 on fold axis A-A downwardly to points 30 are sealed against corresponding portions on the upper section above the axis A-A running from the apex points 29 to points 31. These seals are designated as 19 (FIGS. 7, 8, l1 and 12). When this heat sealing is completed the points 30 and 31 are sealed one upon the other, as best shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. The inflated bonnet, as shown in FIG. 12, resembles somewhat the inside of a flower or a baseball mitt and is nonsymmetrical with respect to the horizontal fold axis A-A. When the bonnet is placed on the head and inflated, the fold axis AA becomes somewhat distorted but generally extends laterally across the head at a point above and slightly rearwardly of the top center.

In addition to the sealing of the side portions along the peripheral edge of the inner and outer walls 21 and 22, a pinched in effect is achieve at the forward center of the bonnet by sealing laterally opposite side edges between a common apex 32 and points 33 (FIGS. 7, 9, 10, 11 and 12) to form a seal 34a.

In order to further shape the inflated bonnet 20, and to provide inwardly bulging holding surfaces, the inner and outer walls 21 and 22 are heat sealed together or joined along selectively spaced interior lines in a desired pattern. Heat sealing between inner and outer walls 21 and 22 is extended inwardly along the vertical centerline 34a of the bonnet from the point 32 along a line 34b to terminate in an annular tearreinforcing seal 34c, the seal defined by portions 34a, 34b and 340 being generally designated as 34. An opening 35 is formed within the seal line 34a along the vertical centerline between the point 32 and the points 33, which could have several purposes among them to permit the bonnet to be conveniently hung up on a hook or the like.

The upper portion of the wall pattern above the fold axis AA (FIGS. 9 and is divided into four inflatable bladderlike fingers, 36,37, 38 and 39 (FIG. 6). The heat seal 3411-3512 between points 33 and the reinforcing seal 34c separates the center fingers 37 and 38. On opposite sides of the central heat seal line 34a-34b there are provided a pair of heat seal strips 40 and 41 to separate the fingers 36 and 37 and 38 and 39, respectively. The bladder-like inflatable fingers 36, 37, 38, and 39 each have a free outer end which due to the scalloped edge referred to above terminates in a curved end to each inflatable finger. When inflated, the inner wall 21 forming the fingers bulges inwardly, as best shown in FIG. 6 and, as shown in FIG. 4, the bulging inner walls of the fingers conform to the shape of the head at the point of contact. Inflation of the bonnet by supplying drying air from the hose 23 causes the fingers 36, 37, 38, and 39 to assume a degree of stiffness somewhat similar to a balloon, and the inwardly bulging inner wall surfaces of the fingers are in contact against the hair surface intermediate the ends of the fingers, so that the outer ends of the fingers are maintained outwardly away from the head or hair surface (as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6), leaving access to the underside of the bonnet and the ears. The fingers 36, 37, 38 and 39 are supplied with dryingair from each end. Consequently the pressure of a roller against the finger cannot block the air supply to the other end of the finger.

In addition to the four fingers 36, 37, 38 and 39, which will be called the upper or top fingers, the bonnet 20 includes a pair of narrow side fingers 42 and 43 formed by heat seals 44 and 45, respectively (FIGS. 7, 9, 10 and 11). The heat seals 40, 41, 44, and 45 are terminated at opposite ends in circular, annular bosses to guard against tearing or ripping when the bonnet is inflated. The side fingers 42 and 43 have inwardly bulging surfaces similar to the top fingers, and pairs of fingers 36 and 42, and 39 and 43 cooperate to maintain an open area in the bonnet around the ears when the honnet is inflated, as best shown in FIG. 6. and consequently to space the lower edge of the bonnet away from the head.

The bonnet 20 includes a large bladderlike plenum chamber 46 at the rearward center between the side fingers 42 and 43. The bladder 46 receives air through the ring 25 and holds an ample quantity of air to feed the individual fingers. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, when drying air is supplied through the hose 23, the large bladder 46 inflates and the inner surface bulges inwardly against the back of the neck, as best shown in FIG. 4. The bladder wraps partially around the base of the neck below the normal hairline and the hair curlers, and aids in holding the bonnet in place on the wearers head, even though air is directed outwardly against the hair from the openings 28 in the inner wall 21 of the bonnet, tending to lift the bonnet away from the head.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, when the bonnet is inflated, the bonnet tends to become oblong or generally elliptical in shape, as shown in FIG. 12, and the side fingers 42 and 43 and the top fingers 36 and 39 extend outwardly away from the head on the side in the vicinity around the ears. This permits a telephone handpiece to be readily inserted into position on either ear from the under or open side of the bonnet with little interference. Because the open, lower periphery of the inflated bonnet 20 is maintained outwardly away from the face and head surface by the stiffness of the inflated fingers bearing inwardly against the head intermediate their ends, and because the bonnet is firmly held in place by the gripping action of the inwardly bulging wall surfaces and cooperation of the lower bladder 46 and the upper forwardly and downwardly extending top fingers 36, 37, 38 and 39, no drawstring or elastic band is required around the lower edge of the bonnet to hold it in place on the head.

Inflation of the bonnet causes the elongated fingers and bladder portions to assume a degree of rigidity or stiffness much like that of an inflated balloon, and the action of the fingers against the adjacent head surface intermediate the length of the fingers maintains the outer ends of the fingers and the lower open periphery of the bonnet outwardly away from the head surface. This permits open access to the ears and hearing is improved. The high velocity flow of drying air passing out through the apertures 28 in the inner wall 21 of the bonnet 20 tends to cause the bonnet to lift away from the head; however, the bonnet is positively held on the head by the cooperative pinching action of the fingers 36,37, 38, 39, 42, and 43 and the enlarged bladder 46 acting against the back of the neck. Distribution of the drying air over the inner wall surface of the bonnet is such as to give maximum drying and a seal around the lower periphery of bonnet 20 surrounding the head receiving opening is not required to prevent the escape of air.

In order to accommodate different types of hair styles as well as different head sizes, the bonnet 20 is provided with a plurality of male and female snap fasteners 47 and 48, respectively, positioned along the lower edge of the rear of the bonnet on opposite sides of the vertical center line as best shown in FIGS. 7 and 9. A selected male snap fastener 47 may be connected with a selected female fastener to provide a pinching in of the bonnet along theback of the neck. With large wide hairdos normally none of the snap fasteners are connected together, however, when desired, each male fastener 47 can be snap connected to either of the female fasteners to provide a number of different widths or amount of pinching in action as required.

The inflated bonnet 20 does not restrict the types of hair styles that can be used, and it permits the lower edges of the hair in the region of the hairline to be properly dried. Moreover the bonnet is provided with a large open mouth area and can easily be put on the users head without disturbing the hair style or the location of therollers. While wearing the bonnet, the hair around the hairline can be touched up or combed because of the freedom afforded by the open lower periphery of the bonnet. The bonnet may be manufactured at low cost and occupies minimum space when folded and put away.

While there has been illustrated and described a particular embodiment of the present invention, it will be understood that numerous changes and modications may occur to those skilled in the art. It is therefore aimed in the appended claims to cover any such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. An inflatable, hair dryer bonnet adapted to rest freely on the head and having a lower periphery extending below the normal hairline of the head of a wearer, said lower periphery being devoid of means to seal the same to the head of the wearer, said bonnet comprising inner and outer wall means formed of thin, flexible sheet material and joined together around their peripheries to define an inflatable air chamber, port means formed on the inner wall means for directing drying air from the inflated air chamber into the hair of the wearer at a plurality of spaced locations, first inflatable bladder means defined by said air chamber forming a relatively large inwardly bulging projection along a lower rearward portion of the bonnet whereby said projection wraps partially around the back of the neck below the hairline of the wearer so that the rearward lower periphery of the bonnet engages the rear hairline and effectively retains the bonnet on the head of the wearer, and second inflatable bladder means defined in said air chamber forming inwardly bulging projections along an upper forward portion of the bonnet for contact along the forward portion of the wearers head to maintain at least a portion of the periphery of said bonnet outwardly away from the side of the wearers head.

2. The bonnet of claim 1 wherein said inwardly bulging projections permit easy access beneath the bonnet to the area where the ears are located without interfering with the hair drying operation.

3. The bonnet of claim 1 wherein said inwardly bulging projections are defined by joining said inner and outer wall means together along predetermined lines.

4. A collapsible, inflatable, head-supported hair dryer bonnet formed of a plurality of sheets of thin flexible material sealed around the outer edges to provide an air plenum chamber when supplied with drying air, said bonnet being formed with an inner head receiving recess the opening to which is defined by said outer sealed edges, said bonnet being devoid of means to cause said outer sealed edges defining said opening to make sealing engagement with the head of the wearer, said chamber comprising a first bladderike portion adjacent the lower rearward edge portion of the bonnet having a relatively large inwardly bulging inside surface which wraps partially around the back of the neck adjacent the hairline of the wearer, and a plurality of second, fingerlike bladder portions extending from the central portions toward said outer edges, said second bladder portions when inflated forming stiffening ribs which shape and support the bonnet and which contact the wearers head intermediate their ends, said ribs having outer ends maintained outwardly of the wearers head by said stiffness and said head contact.

5. The bonnet of claim 4 wherein said first bladderlike portion when inflated effectively holds said bonnet on the head of the wearer.

6. The bonnet of claim 4 wherein said sheets of thin flexible material are sealed together along a plurality of spaced lines which stop short of the outer edges of said sheets whereby a substantially continuous air chamber is defined from one side to the other side of the bonnet around the entire periphery thereof.

7. A collapsible, inflatable, head-supported hair dryer bonnet formed of a plurality of sheets of thin, flexible material sealed around the outer edges to provide an air plenum chamber when supplied with drying air, said chamber comprising a first bladderlike portion adjacent the lower rearward edge portion having a relatively large inwardly bulging inside surface for holding contact against the back of the neck of the wearer so that the lower rearward peripheral edge portion of the bonnet engages the rear hairline and effectively retains the bonnet on the head of the wearer, and a plurality of second, fingerlike bladder portions extending forwardly and downwardly from a common line or apex above the wearers head, said second bladder portions having inwardly bulging surfaces when inflated for providing a degree of longitudinal stiffness thereto and contacting the wearers head intermediate their ends, said second fingerlike bladder portions having outer ends maintained outwardly of the wearers head by said stiffness and said head contact.

8. The bonnet of claim 7 wherein the deflated bonnet is of such size that it may be readily placed upon and removed from the head without disturbing the hair set of the wearer.

9. A hair dryer bonnet comprising a flexible outer wall of somewhat butterfly shape, a flexible inner wall of the same shape as said outer wall, means for joining portions of the peripheral edges of said inner wall together to form a caplike structure, means for joining portions of the outer edges of said outer wall together to form a caplike structure, means for joining said two caplike structures together at the peripheries of the two caplike structures to define an air chamber therebetween, means defining an air inlet to said air chamber, means defining a plurality of apertures in said inner wall to define air outlets in the vicinity of the hair on the head of the wearer, and means for joining said walls together along spaced lines, said lines terminating short of said peripheries to define a relatively large inwardly bulging air chamber along the back of the head of the wearer beneath the hairline of said wearer, so as to effectively retain the bonnet on the head of the wearer.

10. A collapsible, inflatable, head-supported hair dryer bonnet formed of an inner sheet of thin flexible material and an outer sheet of thin flexible material, said sheets being sealed together around the outer edges to provide an air chamber therebetween, said bonnet being formed with a head receiving recess the entrance to which is defined by said outer edges being devoid of means to cause sealing engagement with the head of the wearer, means defining a large opening in said outer sheet providing an air inlet to said air chamber, said air inlet being disposed at the rear of said wraps partially around the back of the neck adjacent the hairline of the wearer thereby effectively to hold said bonnet on the head of said wearer.

11. The bonnet of claim 10 wherein said sheets are also secured together adjacent the top center of the bonnet. 

1. An inflatable, hair dryer bonnet adapted to rest freely on the head and having a lower periphery extending below the normal hairline of the head of a wearer, said lower periphery being devoid of means to seal the same to the head of the wearer, said bonnet comprising inner and outer wall means formed of thin, flexible sheet material and joined together around their peripheries to define an inflatable air chamber, port means formed on the inner wall means for directing drying air from the inflated air chamber into the hair of the wearer at a plurality of spaced locations, first inflatable bladder means defined by said air chamber forming a relatively large inwardly bulging projection along a lower rearward portion of the bonnet whereby said projection wraps partially around the back of the neck below the hairline of the wearer so that the rearward lower periphery of the bonnet engages the rear hairline and effectively retains the bonnet on the head of the wearer, and second inflatable bladder means defined in said air chamber forming inwardly bulging projections along an upper forward portion of the bonnet for contact along the forward portion of the wearer''s head to maintain at least a portion of the periphery of said bonnet outwardly away from the side of thE wearer''s head.
 2. The bonnet of claim 1 wherein said inwardly bulging projections permit easy access beneath the bonnet to the area where the ears are located without interfering with the hair drying operation.
 3. The bonnet of claim 1 wherein said inwardly bulging projections are defined by joining said inner and outer wall means together along predetermined lines.
 4. A collapsible, inflatable, head-supported hair dryer bonnet formed of a plurality of sheets of thin flexible material sealed around the outer edges to provide an air plenum chamber when supplied with drying air, said bonnet being formed with an inner head receiving recess the opening to which is defined by said outer sealed edges, said bonnet being devoid of means to cause said outer sealed edges defining said opening to make sealing engagement with the head of the wearer, said chamber comprising a first bladderike portion adjacent the lower rearward edge portion of the bonnet having a relatively large inwardly bulging inside surface which wraps partially around the back of the neck adjacent the hairline of the wearer, and a plurality of second, fingerlike bladder portions extending from the central portions toward said outer edges, said second bladder portions when inflated forming stiffening ribs which shape and support the bonnet and which contact the wearer''s head intermediate their ends, said ribs having outer ends maintained outwardly of the wearer''s head by said stiffness and said head contact.
 5. The bonnet of claim 4 wherein said first bladderlike portion when inflated effectively holds said bonnet on the head of the wearer.
 6. The bonnet of claim 4 wherein said sheets of thin flexible material are sealed together along a plurality of spaced lines which stop short of the outer edges of said sheets whereby a substantially continuous air chamber is defined from one side to the other side of the bonnet around the entire periphery thereof.
 7. A collapsible, inflatable, head-supported hair dryer bonnet formed of a plurality of sheets of thin, flexible material sealed around the outer edges to provide an air plenum chamber when supplied with drying air, said chamber comprising a first bladderlike portion adjacent the lower rearward edge portion having a relatively large inwardly bulging inside surface for holding contact against the back of the neck of the wearer so that the lower rearward peripheral edge portion of the bonnet engages the rear hairline and effectively retains the bonnet on the head of the wearer, and a plurality of second, fingerlike bladder portions extending forwardly and downwardly from a common line or apex above the wearer''s head, said second bladder portions having inwardly bulging surfaces when inflated for providing a degree of longitudinal stiffness thereto and contacting the wearer''s head intermediate their ends, said second fingerlike bladder portions having outer ends maintained outwardly of the wearer''s head by said stiffness and said head contact.
 8. The bonnet of claim 7 wherein the deflated bonnet is of such size that it may be readily placed upon and removed from the head without disturbing the hair set of the wearer.
 9. A hair dryer bonnet comprising a flexible outer wall of somewhat butterfly shape, a flexible inner wall of the same shape as said outer wall, means for joining portions of the peripheral edges of said inner wall together to form a caplike structure, means for joining portions of the outer edges of said outer wall together to form a caplike structure, means for joining said two caplike structures together at the peripheries of the two caplike structures to define an air chamber therebetween, means defining an air inlet to said air chamber, means defining a plurality of apertures in said inner wall to define air outlets in the vicinity of the hair on the head of the wearer, and means for joining said walls together along spaced lines, said lines terminating short of said peripheries to define a relatively large inwArdly bulging air chamber along the back of the head of the wearer beneath the hairline of said wearer, so as to effectively retain the bonnet on the head of the wearer.
 10. A collapsible, inflatable, head-supported hair dryer bonnet formed of an inner sheet of thin flexible material and an outer sheet of thin flexible material, said sheets being sealed together around the outer edges to provide an air chamber therebetween, said bonnet being formed with a head receiving recess the entrance to which is defined by said outer edges being devoid of means to cause sealing engagement with the head of the wearer, means defining a large opening in said outer sheet providing an air inlet to said air chamber, said air inlet being disposed at the rear of said bonnet adjacent the entrance to said head receiving recess, means defining a plurality of apertures in said inner sheet to define drying air outlets in the vicinity of the hair on the head of the wearer of said bonnet, and means for sealing said sheets together at spaced points adjacent said air inlet whereby when drying air is supplied to said air chamber through said air inlet, said inner sheet bulges inwardly adjacent said inlet and wraps partially around the back of the neck adjacent the hairline of the wearer thereby effectively to hold said bonnet on the head of said wearer.
 11. The bonnet of claim 10 wherein said sheets are also secured together adjacent the top center of the bonnet. 